New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

,v,,o,,c,, THE GATES OF GOLD. A Fragment Of
Thought 16mo, pp ITO. Boston; hooer's n'o'
rb,s brochure. 1t is understood, was written by
ybe author of that paradoxcal work, Lignt OH 'no
Path" 1t is contribution to that literature =.
mysticism which Is just now in vogue. INC on'o.
note in it is vagueness; that vagueness whon ,"u'
he 40 repellent to the Western mind. trained W ce
...na oi,voys snscGc statements and to refuse SO
r;ous consideration to every message which comes
,,rorred in oeperalities What the Gates OF God
are 70 what comprehensive region or condition
<beu omen : how they are to be passed; ana why
the massage of them is 90 be desired are questions
no one of which is here answered IN an inteigible
manner.
The book let is indeed variation upon the ancient
theme. know Thyself"; but the seeker after
Truth will fluid the gude-pOsts here set up quite
undecipherable. and the practical inquirer VIII DC
revoited by the inlimation-so familiar TO all VINO
have gaduated at Elcusis-that before the hh'i
and Illuminating word can be impaired the Nero
phant must abandon the solid ground OF demonstra-
tion and proiect himself into the region of bind
faith. II is hardly to be expected that tue scep-
teal inouirer will accept this condition, whiie as
tn the nOn-sceptica they have no need for psy-
choloyic regimen which is so close copy OF
Christian mystical Doctrine, but is distinguished
from the latter bv the absence OF the Leading
Christian motive 1t is questionable whether snch
books are to edihcation from whatever point oi
view they may be regarded
DUE NORTH or, Gllmpses of Scandinavia and Russia s
by MATURiN NJ. B,LLOU. LIMO, PIP Aii $40. lick
nor Il Co
Mr. Balloons Journeys due West and due So9tt
seem to have interested a large circle OF readers
and he is justified in assuming that tho same class
of persons will follow his record OF tour IN those
byperborean regions where lie Denmark Norway,
Sweden and Russia. He travelled far, observed i'll
dusrious,y and for the most part intolhgently ana
brought back q we-flled notebook. which he
DISPLAYS for us with little ceremony lie IS not
addicted to phloso phizing. or to studying social
questions, to rbapsOdizng about scenery ana ART
He merely talks about what he saw in an easy and
unsystematic way, often jumbling lncongruous
topics together aud caring little for style as he
docs for cement He has not trace OF literary
polish; he is not vivaciOus he IS weak in descrp-
ton; lie is obviously superficial, and vet IL Is
certain that great many people fnd HIM enter
tail ing. This no doubt is chiefly because he has
much to tell and he tells it, without prolixity or
parade.
THE STORY OF ANCIENT EGYPT BY GEORGE
RAwLINsoy. NJ. A. With the Collaboration OF ARTHrR
GILMAN, MA. II mo. PIP XXI, AUS. u T. futnams
Sons.
Professor Rawlinson's contribution to the Story
ST the Nations" series will be valued alike from the
interest of its style and the excellence of its matter
An ackuO lodged master of the subject, he speaks
with tho case and exactness of authority. and lie
has the art of making his scholarship ATTRACTIVE to
the uncrical public for HON this set of historical
sketches is especially intended. HIS chapter on the
pyramids and his account of the famous vocal
statue of Memnon may be mentioned as examples
of felicitous treatment.